City looking to focus on pedestrian and cyclist safety in Marda Loop masterplan
After years of engagement with residents, businesses and stakeholders, the city is planning to move forward with the Streetscape Masterplan for Marda Loop.
Pedestrian safety, parking and bike lanes are the focus of the multi-million dollar proposal.
33 Avenue SW is the central corridor for business and vehicle traffic through the community.
On 34 Avenue, the city plans to construct bike lanes to alleviate pressure on cyclists when riding near heavy traffic.
Although a final design has not been approved, there are three scenarios the city is considering.
Option A looks at one-way vehicle traffic, with two parking lanes and a cycling track on the south side of the street.
Option B looks at two-way vehicle traffic, with a parking lane on the north side, while a cycling track is created on the south side, including a pedestrian path.
Option C would see the road stay as is, with mixed traffic being allowed on the road, including cyclists and vehicles.
Bike Calgary believes the creation of bike lanes is what is needed in Marda Loop.
"It would be safe or could be safe, only if it is designed properly," said spokesperson Garry Lohuis.
"We would be very much in favour of a separated bike lane track. We're not anti-car. We're just really pro-safety for bicycles."
Some residents in the area believe adding bike lanes in the area would be a good idea.
Kate Bowering says the city should install bike lanes, but it has to accommodate everybody, and that includes alleviating any pressure on traffic back-ups if parking becomes an issue.
"It's not one thing to say we need bike lanes on 34 Ave. I think it needs to be a very thoughtful approach," said Bowering.
Another resident tells CTV news he is a cyclist but believes the project would be a waste of time.
"I think it's a bad idea. It will just make the traffic worse, and everybody that rides a bike, I ride a bike all the time just goes over a block or two to be on the nice quiet streets," he said.
Officials say temporary improvement measures such as wheelchair ramps and traffic-calming curbs will be installed along 34 Avenue between 14 Street and 20 Street. The curbs will be installed in the new year.
The city will host a virtual open house on Dec. 1, where the project will be presented and allow for a question and answer session.
The city says it is taking key engagements with those impacted that will take place until Dec. 15.
Previous engagement sessions showed a multi-use path option is what most felt would be the ideal solution, the city says.
This would see shared pathways on one side of the road for cyclists and pedestrians while still preserving on-street parking on both sides.
No date has been set for construction.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'It could be catastrophic': Woman says natural supplement contained hidden painkiller drug
A Manitoba woman thought she found a miracle natural supplement, but said a hidden ingredient wreaked havoc on her health.
After hearing thousands of last words, this hospital chaplain has advice for the living
Hospital chaplain J.S. Park opens up about death, grief and hearing thousands of last words, and shares his advice for the living.
WHO likely to issue wider alert on contaminated cough syrup
The World Health Organization is likely to issue a wider warning about contaminated Johnson and Johnson-made children's cough syrup found in Nigeria last week, it said in an email.
Canada, G7 urge 'all parties' to de-escalate in growing Mideast conflict
Canada called for 'all parties' to de-escalate rising tensions in the Mideast following an apparent Israeli drone attack against Iran overnight.
'It was all my savings': Ontario woman loses $15K to fake Walmart job scam
A woman who recently moved to Canada from India was searching for a job when she got caught in an online job scam and lost $15,000.
Families to receive Canada Child Benefit payment on Friday
More money will land in the pockets of some Canadian families on Friday for the latest Canada Child Benefit installment.
After COVID, WHO defines disease spread 'through air'
The World Health Organization and around 500 experts have agreed for the first time on what it means for a disease to spread through the air, in a bid to avoid the confusion early in the COVID-19 pandemic that some scientists have said cost lives.
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer denied bail after being charged with killing Canadian couple
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer, one of two men charged in the killings of a Canadian couple in Dominica, has been denied bail.
DEVELOPING G7 warns of new sanctions against Iran as world reacts to apparent Israeli drone attack
Group of Seven foreign ministers warned of new sanctions against Iran on Friday for its drone and missile attack on Israel, and urged both sides to avoid an escalation of the conflict.